The Spanish capital of Madrid will be a city divided this weekend when reigning Spanish champions Atletico visit reigning European champions Real at the Estadio Bernabeu for the first Madrid Derby of the new season. Real are coming off a shock defeat last time out, one they will be keen to make up for with a huge derby day victory.
Real Madrid entered this season as favorites for the championship, as we mentioned in our La Liga season preview, but a second consecutive loss would significantly affect their title aspirations even in this early stage of the season. Read on for everything you need to know bet on the Madrid Derby.
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Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid
When: Saturday, September 13, 2:00 PM ET
Line: Atletico Madrid +450 at Real Madrid -200, tie +280; total 2.5 – view all soccer lines
Betting on Real Madrid
Real Madrid were cruising right along in their previous game away to Real Sociedad. Even with star striker Cristiano Ronaldo missing due to concerns about his fitness, the European champs were two goals up within just 11 minutes remaining. But inexplicably, they conspired to throw away that two-goal lead and eventually lost, 4-2.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Real’s defending from set pieces and on the wings was largely to blame for their shock defeat. Sociedad’s first and fourth goals came from corner kicks, while their second and third were from crosses out wide.
But equally as telling was how Real Madrid missed the presence of midfielder Xabi Alonso, who was dealt off to Bayern Munich in the transfer window. Real’s two holding midfielders, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, were unable to emulate Alonso’s ability to shield the defense and dictate the play, which contributed to Sociedad’s comeback. German World Cup winner Sami Khedira will also be unavailable due to a muscle tear in his thigh.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti will have to think long and hard about whether he should change his formation in order to match up with Atletico’s physical midfielders. However, he won’t have to think too hard about whether to put Cristiano Ronaldo straight into the starting lineup. The Portuguese star is back in training and is likely to make his return in the derby.
Ronaldo has scored 13 goals in his Real career against Atletico, the second-most against any Spanish opponent. With Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale alongside in attack, Real is a definitely capable of extending their streak of 15-consecutive home league games with two or more goals.
Betting on Atletico Madrid
After a goalless draw away to Rayo Vallecano in their opening match, defending champions Atletico Madrid got their first win of the season with a 2-1 home triumph to newly-promoted Eibar. Striker Mario Mandzukic scored his first league goal for the team, which turned out to be the winner.
Promisingly for Atletico, they scored both of their goals off corners. Miranda scored their first goal against Eibar, and along with fellow central defender Diego Godin, they will be excellent set piece threats against Real’s struggling defense.
Godin had a habit of scoring crucial goals last season. Of the five goals he scored, two came against Real Madrid (in the Champions League final, no less) and Barcelona (to clinch the La Liga title for Atletico).
Manager Diego Simeone still won’t be on the Atletico bench as he will be serving the third game of his eight-game ban for his antics in Atletico’s 1-0 second leg Spanish Super Cup win over Real. Because Simeone won’t be able to make any in-game adjustments, he’ll have to set his team up well right from the start.
Simeone has prepared his team expertly in recent meetings against Real, which have resulted in some great results. His team went undefeated in the league against their crosstown rivals for the first time since 1997-1998 last season, and won at the Bernabeu in the league for the first time since 1999-2000. In that match, Atletico became the first and only team to keep a clean sheet against Real in the league last season.
Writer’s Prediction
Atletico’s defense once again neutralizes Real’s attackers as they earn another hard-fought draw (+280) at the Bernabeu. Create a betting account now to take part in one of the fiercest soccer derbies in the world.
